NEWS
RELEASES 2011-12

NEWS RELEASES
2011-12 :: MAY 25, 2012

STATEMENT BY STATE SUPERINTENDENT JUNE ATKINSON
REGARDING HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
BUDGET PROPOSAL AND SENATE BILL 795

"The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education released its budget this week, and I applaud members for their efforts to help public schools. Even without new revenue sources, the subcommittee provided significant support to help meet the most critical needs of public schools. I encourage the full Appropriations committee to favorably consider the subcommittee’s education budget.

The subcommittee replaced funds to support a variety of important needs, but I am especially heartened by efforts to replace the federal EduJobs funds supporting classroom teachers and to reduce the cuts to local school districts.

A great many needs still remain, such as funds for textbooks and technology - and money to cover a pay raise for teachers, but this is a move in the right direction.

There also has been substantive reform proposed in Senate Bill 795. I am pleased that some of these proposed reforms have the potential to align with important work that is already underway with our Race to the Top efforts. Yet the fact remains that our public schools budget is in dire straits and we need to rectify this before we move forward with additional new programs and initiatives. I hope that we can work together with the General Assembly as they prepare to discuss this detailed and significant legislation in the upcoming long session."

About the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction:
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction provides leadership to 115 local public school districts and 126 charter schools serving over 1.5 million students in kindergarten through high school graduation. The agency is responsible for all aspects of the state's public school system and works under the direction of the North Carolina State Board of Education.

For more information:
NCDPI Communication and Information Division, 919.807.3450.